LAUSR

Abstract Infant mortality rate (IMR) and under five mortality rate (U5MR) are vital indicators of the health of a population. Included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they are, together with health and nutrition status, considered significant indicators of child well-being. In India, during the period 1990 to 2015, female IMR declined from 81 to 39 deaths per 1000 live births, while male IMR declined from 78 to 35. Further decline was reported by SRS 2018 (Female IMR 33, Male IMR 32). However, the female-male gap in IMR continues to persist. The aim of the present study is to assess the gender disparities in and the risk of infant and under five mortality in India. The study used data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16). The study revealed that the risk of under-five mortality was higher among males. The pattern of sex differences in infant mortality appears to be the same across India, while that of under-five mortality shows slight differences among males and females. The findings of this study suggest that though socioeconomic characteristics appear to significantly influence infant mortality, sex differences in infant mortality are not influenced by these factors. These findings will enable policymakers and public health practitioners to develop cost-effective interventions targeting the sub-populations of children at risk.